Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has given the clearest indication yet that Kyrie Irving may return to the floor before the end of the year.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Kidd said according to The Athletic’s Christian Clark that the team is hopeful to see its All-Star guard back in action soon. “We just can’t wait to get Kai back at some point,” Kidd said. “Hopefully it’s in the year ’25, not ’26. But we’ll see what happens.”
Irving has been sidelined since suffering a torn ACL in his left knee on March 3 during a game against the Sacramento Kings. He underwent surgery later that month and has since spent over seven months recovering. The 33-year-old has recently been participating in light on-court workouts, gradually ramping up activity over the past month.
While the Mavericks had avoided setting a timetable for his return, Kidd’s latest comments point toward a possible late December comeback. That timeline would mark roughly nine months post-surgery, aligning with standard ACL recovery periods.
Irving’s injury cut short what had been a productive season. Before going down, he averaged 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over 50 games while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from three-point range.
The Mavericks have opened the 2025–26 campaign with a 2–4 record as they adjust to life without Irving and former franchise star Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. Anthony Davis has taken over as the team’s primary scorer, averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, but the offense has struggled to find consistency.
Irving’s return would provide much-needed backcourt stability and veteran leadership alongside D’Angelo Russell and rookie forward Cooper Flagg. His playmaking and scoring ability remain central to Dallas’s plans as the team looks to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
In early October, Irving made clear that he would not rush his comeback. “There’s no timetable for when I’m coming back,” he said, emphasizing that his focus is on recovery and long-term health.
For now, the Mavericks are managing expectations while keeping an eye on his progress. If Irving can return before the end of 2025, it would mark a significant boost for a Dallas team still searching for rhythm under Kidd’s direction.
